Celebrating Madame Schreiber

BY NANCY SANDBERG

Isabella has enjoyed her time at BFS, with the freedom to curate the program according to her values and goals as an educator. Understanding the importance of establishing trust, respect, and motivation, with kindness and patience she has always sought to connect personally with her students, tailoring aspects of the program for each grade level according to their interests, needs, and strengths.

The hallmarks of her approach have always included fun, inspiring projects, meant to engage her charges as they stretched their skills in innovative ways to develop self-confidence as speakers and learners of French. BFS 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade French students have won numerous gold, silver, and bronze prizes in Le Grand Concours, the National French Contest. There have been pen pal exchanges and then visits with students at the Collège San Martial in Montmorillon, France. For many years, 4th graders created shadow puppets for classic children’s stories, which they presented in French during the Arts Festival.

Isabella’s concern for others has always been at the forefront of her relationships with students, colleagues, and the wider community. Under her guidance as convenor of the Outreach Committee, students and faculty engaged in a variety of service projects.

Madame Schreiber may be stepping back from her role as beloved French teacher, but she will not likely be spending much time sitting back to relax in the years ahead. She has spent much of the past year working on home projects, such as repainting rooms and refurbishing furniture, and continues to plan such tasks, taking justifiable pride in her newfound skills and accomplishments.

This past winter, Isabella Tamborino-Schreiber announced her intention to retire at the end of the school year, ending her 24-year-long tenure at Buckingham Friends School.

Madame Schreiber began teaching French language and culture in September 1999, having previously taught at Temple University and the Springside School in Chestnut Hill, PA. Isabella was born and raised in Italy. After completing her undergraduate degree in French and English from Istituto Universitario Orientale in Naples, Italy, she earned an M.A. in French literature from Temple University and completed postgraduate work at New York University.

She divides her time between friends and family in the U.S. and those at her home in Italy. She makes trips into Manhattan, enjoying outings with her son Robert who is now working at Bloomberg Associates. There are also plans for frequent visits to California to spend time with her son Richard, his wife Fiona, and her darling infant grandson, Connell.

Gardening, reading and book club meetings, exercise classes, cooking, and conversational French sessions are just some of the many activities she will continue to engage in with newly freed up time.

When she leaves the cozy, light-filled French classroom for the last time in June, it will bring to a close her brilliant career at BFS and her signature brand of excellence in French language instruction. Au revoir, Isabella. Tu vas nous manquer! •

I definitely found my love for French at BFS, especially through my JEM travel experience to Montmorillon. Madame helped me realize the power of language and the importance of traveling and experiencing new cultures.

Abby ‘14

For me, preparing to bid adieu to Isabella is like getting ready to give away a favorite book of rare poems. While it is difficult to imagine that the book will no longer be on the shelf, the poems and all of their meaning - and how they touch you - will always remain in your heart and mind, continuing to awaken your feelings and thoughts even more deeply as you recall them over time.

—Paul Lindenmaier, Head of School

Madame is a great teacher! She is always helpful, and always keeps her students on track. Thank you, Madame Schreiber.

—Liam ‘21

Merci Isabella, you have inspired generations of young students to love the French culture and language, and broaden their understanding of a global community! Bon chance in your next adventure.

—Hillary

Spitzer

It has been really fun connecting with students in France through the pen pal exchange, and Madame has also introduced us to French cinema through our lessons. Madame always makes everything extra special and interesting! We will miss you.

—Lily ‘23

A very fond memory I have from Madame Schrieber’s class is making crepes and celebrating Mardis Gras!

—-Charlotte ‘18